Specializing in Roman Catholic Eclectic

“Mary’s role as mother of mankind in no way obscures or diminishes the unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. Yet the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men originates not in any inner necessity but in the disposition of God. It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it and draws all its power from it. It does not hinder in any way the immediate union of the faithful with Christ but on the contrary fosters it.” Lumen Gentium, Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Nov. 21, 1964. (Excerpt from Chapter VIII: Our Lady.)

“True Marian devotion never obscures or diminishes faith and love for Jesus Christ Our Savior, the one Mediator between God and humankind. On the contrary, entrustment to Our Lady is a privileged path, tested by numerous Saints, for a more faithful following of the Lord. Consequently, let us entrust ourselves to her with filial abandonment!” – Pope Benedict XVI.

A Rosary Meditation … The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery, the Carrying of the Cross. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.” Matthew 11:29. If you’ve ever wondered what Christ’s “yoke” consists of this Mystery shows one aspect of it. Carrying the cross. He carried His cross for us, we carry our own with His help, we help each other carry crosses. Galatians 6:2. But the “and learn of Me” is what exactly? We know we’re called to be Christlike. He is our example in all things. This includes cross carrying. As He carried His the example we see, what we learn, is much. Hopefully when we look we’ll all see basically the same thing because we’re all in this together, but also we’ll hope to see specifics that will help us as individuals. We all have areas of need, things that need work, some things more than others. I have my shortcomings, you have yours, and Jesus has all the answers. He knows the needs because He knows each of us as individuals. He should know us. He created us AND as He carried the Cross our sins were laid upon His shoulders, 1 Peter 2:24, along with the wood. So He knows us and our shortcomings very well. We are, in a sense, Christ’s Cross. From this one of the things we can, we should, learn is not to add to it. If we ought not add to His Cross we shouldn’t add to each others either. If I’m supposed to help you carry your burden, and I am called to that ministry just as you are and just as we all are, I need to remember that helping doesn’t include using it like a luggage rack and loading you down with even more baggage. And how might I do that? How might I add to your cross? By giving you a bad example, by giving you unasked for advise rather than a helping hand when it’s needed, by doing things for you that you honestly need to do for yourself and in this way stunt your growth by taking from you the opportunity to learn, and the list goes on. When He carried His Cross He didn’t do any of these things. He makes loads better, not worse. Now there’s an example.

Today … St. Ulfrid was a missionary and martyr. Originally from England, he journeyed to the Continent to take part in the missionary efforts of the era in Germany and Sweden. He was martyred by pagans after chopping down an idol of the false god Thor. Missionaries always carry the Cross. They carry it to others. That’s another way of helping people carry their own cross. And they carry it for others. We’re all called to carry the message. When missionaries go out carrying the Gospel to those needing to hear it they give us the opportunity to support their efforts. By supporting the missions with our prayers and our money we help carry the Cross of Christ.

Hint … When we help somebody carry their cross? Leaning on it doesn’t count.